HH62/2/LANARK/88

Transcription

[Page] 87

Hospital Accommodation. - Until the month of Novem-
ber the District Committee did not deem it necessary to
consider any new scheme for providing hospital accom-
modation, believing that, under an agreement with the City
of Glasgow, the greater part of the district would have the
right of sending patients to Belvidere Hospital. However,
immediately after the extension of the city became an
accomplished fact, formal intimation was given that the
whole of Belvidere would be required for the wants of the
extended city. The District Committee at once took the
question in hand, and a sub-committee was appointed to
consider and report.
Although not of very large area in the aggregate, yet
from its irregular and straggling shape, due largely to the
encroachment of Glasgow and neighbouring burghs, the
distance between the extreme points of the district is con-
siderable, and makes it a matter of some difficulty to
provide for the whole by one hospital. In my report on
the subject to the Committee I was at first, therefore,
inclined to advise that combination with the Stirlingshire
County Council on the one side, and with the Middle
Ward on the other, might be the better plan, securing, if
possible, additional beds in the Shieldhall Hospital for
South Govan and the district adjoining. Further con-
sideration and negotiation showed, however, that the
disadvantages were likely to more than outweigh the
advantages, and the Committee have now practically
decided that one hospital of between 30 and 40 beds,
situated somewhere near Shettleston, will best meet the
necessities of the Lower Ward, at the same time retaining
their original rights in the Shieldhall Hospital.
The question is still under the consideration of the Com-
mittee, and they are now awaiting a further report from me
as to probable cost and expense of management and
maintenance.

[Note in margin] [....]

Disinfection. - The question of disinfection is much in
the same position, this being formerly carried out by the

[Page] 88

Glasgow Authorities. I have already reported upon the
requirements of a well-equipped public disinfecting station,
and give an extract from it:-
At one time it was believed that all disease was a visita-
tion from the Almighty, and that it was futile to attempt
to prevent it. Indeed, there are still some who, if they do
not openly express this opinion, act as if they believed in it,
utterly ignoring the fact that many diseases, such as leprosy,
ague, typhus, and even smallpox, have been practically
driven from this country by purely sanitary measures.
Indeed, there is no reason why many others, such as typhoid
fever, scarlet fever, and diphtheria, should not utterly be
eradicated.
I do not intend to add to the length of this paper by
discussing the question of vaccination in regard to its
prevention of smallpox, but will confine myself to stating
briefly the general measures to be adopted for the prevention
of infectious disease.
Dr. Fagge lays down the following general rules:-
"(a) During an illness the utmost care should be
exerted to hinder the contagion from being carried
away from the sick-room by means of attendants,
or in the patient's excreta, or upon the linen of
his bed or body, or in any other way. In all
probability its escape into the open air through
windows or chimneys is of no consequence.
"(b) That at this time it is impracticable effectually
to disinfect the patient himself or his surroundings,
and, therefore, that the attempt should not be
made.
"(c) That the patient, after recovery, and the nurses
also, should be most carefully disinfected; that
minute pains should be taken to prevent clothes,
books, and other articles from conveying
contagion; and that the sick room, with all its
contents, should be thoroughly purified before
healthy persons are allowed access to it."

It is quite clear that in the great majority of cases -
probably not less than 90 per cent. - that come under the
notice of the Sanitary Authorities of the Middle and Lower
Wards of Lanarkshire, these conditions cannot be complied

Transcriber's notes

Note in margin?